Where to start?

[fastfredy0]

@Carbon
https://www.gotquestions.org/predestination-vs-free-will.htmlpredestination vs free will
Predestination is an explicitly biblical doctrine. God is indeed sovereign over everything, including who is saved.

I looked at some other topics and the side Gotquestions took in regards to Calvinism was not as clear.
I've seen answers that made them look like 4-pointers and others like 4 1/2-pointers.
Good spot to find a relevant verse on a topic too.

Cool. Even if it is Arminian, could be worse.

Not exactly a 'ringing endorsement'

 

[Carbon]

@Carbon
https://www.gotquestions.org/predestination-vs-free-will.htmlpredestination vs free will
Predestination is an explicitly biblical doctrine. God is indeed sovereign over everything, including who is saved.

I looked at some other topics and the side Gotquestions took in regards to Calvinism was not as clear.
I've seen answers that made them look like 4-pointers and others like 4 1/2-pointers.
Good spot to find a relevant verse on a topic too.


Not exactly a 'ringing endorsement'

I guess i stand corrected.

Thanks.

 

[Odë:hgöd]

.

If you met a new Christian and he/her asked for advice, where should I start in the
bible? What should I read first?

Well; if the person is a Christian then they're likely already somewhat familiar with
the gospels so I'd recommend taking up the Old Testament for a while beginning
with simple books like Esther, Jonah, and Ruth.

FAQ: Which version would be best?

REPLY: I recommend avoiding linguistic antiques like the Douay-Rheims, the
Confraternity, the American Standard Version, and the King James version which
are no longer practical because their language and grammar are obsolete.

For English-speaking inquirers I suggest contemporary versions in common use like
the New International (NIV), New American Bible (NAB), the New American
Standard (NAS) the English Standard Version (ESV) and/or the New Living
Translation (NLT)

* No matter whose version of the Bible chosen, some all-knowing armchair
expert will eventually come along and insist it's no either no good, corrupt, and/or
inadequate.

FAQ: Where can I find a Bible?

REPLY: Just about any book store carries a selection of Bibles, and even some
department stores; and of course Christian book stores. Amazon dot com has them
too. If you're on a limited budget, you might try shopping a thrift store like Good
Will and/or Salvation Army.

Buen Camino
Pleasant Journey
_

 

[CrazyCalvinistUncle]

You would recommend a wed site? Not a book in the bible?

To be fair he said the book of John *and* GotQuestions

 

[CrazyCalvinistUncle]

If you do some research you will see that it's mainly an Arminian site.

Based on...?

 

[CrazyCalvinistUncle]

If you met a new Christian and he/her asked for advice, where should I start in the bible? What should I read first?

What would you recommend? I have had a few Christians ask me this. Usually, I recommend starting with the Gospel of John.

What would you recommend and why?

I was told, as a new Christian, to read through Paul's writings ( I was given a list ) and balance that out with the Psalms. Solid advice but not a lot of explanation to go on.

So I wouldn't advise what I did. I read through Paul's writings, balanced it out with the Psalms, and being a computer geek I supplemented my learning with that bastion of truth known as the internet.

Eventually some soul had pity on me and pointed me to CH Spurgeon and I learned to badger the poor pastor and Elders who gave me reading assignments instead of discipleship. Little did I know that this would cause them to put together a small group of all the Elders and me and my wife. Apparently we needed corralling. Best time of our lives. And I think the Elders got a kick out of it as well. At least the pastor stopped losing hair over me.

So I would suggest not just a book of the Bible but someone well steeped in theology for the baby believers. Whether that is Christianity 101 with signups for small groups with "elders" running them or something similar. John is a popular starting place...but to this day I have a soft spot for the Psalms as well.

 

[ReverendRV]

If you met a new Christian and he/her asked for advice, where should I start in the bible? What should I read first?

What would you recommend? I have had a few Christians ask me this. Usually, I recommend starting with the Gospel of John.

What would you recommend and why?

I recommend Romans or Galatians...

The Gospels are always recommended first, but they are full of a Works Righteousness; IE the Rich Young Ruler. A new Christian needs to start with Good Doctrine; such as Romans 3. Imagine a new Christian reading the Gospels AFTER they read Romans 3! They will ask themselves, "Why did Jesus tell the RYR in order to be Righteous, he needs to Keep the Commandments; since there is no one who does Good?"

Let them have good Fundamentals first...

 

[Carbon]

I recommend Romans or Galatians...

The Gospels are always recommended first, but they are full of a Works Righteousness; IE the Rich Young Ruler. A new Christian needs to start with Good Doctrine; such as Romans 3. Imagine a new Christian reading the Gospels AFTER they read Romans 3! They will ask themselves, "Why did Jesus tell the RYR in order to be Righteous, he needs to Keep the Commandments; since there is no one who does Good?"

Let them have good Fundamentals first...

Well every verse in the bible is either law or gospel. So you can’t go wrong

 

[Odë:hgöd]

.
The Old Testament often gets marginalized; and it really shouldn't.

● Rom 15:4 . . For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our
instruction, that through perseverance and the encouragement of the scriptures we
might have hope.

● 1Cor 10:11 . . Now these things happened to them as an example, and they were
written for our instruction, upon whom the ends of the ages have come.

● 2Tim 3:16-17 . . All scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for
reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; that the man of God may be
adequate, equipped for every good work.
_

 

[Sereni-tea]

If you met a new Christian and he/her asked for advice, where should I start in the bible? What should I read first?

What would you recommend? I have had a few Christians ask me this. Usually, I recommend starting with the Gospel of John.

What would you recommend and why?

I would suggest one of the Gospels - doesn't really matter which. They each have a different focus and different writing style.
Then I would suggest some of Paul's shorter letters - Philippians or Ephesians.
Depending on the person, I'm not sure I would recommend Romans straight up as there are some pretty tough passages and easy for someone to get bogged down in it.
I would also try to point them to a resource that explains an overview of how the Bible is one story of God's plan of redemption. Graham Goldworthy's According to Plan is an excellent book, but there are probably some great online resources as well. Bible Project is one that comes to mind. They have a lot of great videos.

Just my thoughts.

 

[EarlyActs]

I would suggest one of the Gospels - doesn't really matter which. They each have a different focus and different writing style.
Then I would suggest some of Paul's shorter letters - Philippians or Ephesians.
Depending on the person, I'm not sure I would recommend Romans straight up as there are some pretty tough passages and easy for someone to get bogged down in it.
I would also try to point them to a resource that explains an overview of how the Bible is one story of God's plan of redemption. Graham Goldworthy's According to Plan is an excellent book, but there are probably some great online resources as well. Bible Project is one that comes to mind. They have a lot of great videos.

Just my thoughts.

Yay a Goldsworthy reader!

Yes the BP videos are very helpful.